Inlet-water regulator for weir-meter construction.



APPLICATION- FILED APR-1.1912- Patented Nov. 2, 1915 INVENTOR A TTORNE Y b so ' supply.

I release the pressure to be simple,

chamber.

DAVID ROBERT YARNALL, 01 PHILADEDPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO QPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

YARNALL-WARING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A GOR- INLET-WATER REGULATOR FOR WEIR-METER CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed April 1. 1912. Serial No. 687,630.

' To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID ROBERT YAR- NALL, a citizen of the United States. residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia andState of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Inlet-Water Regulator for \Vier-Wleter Construction, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to insure continued desirable conditions of pressure within a meter tank.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide for any predetermined pressure limits within meter tanks and to vent steam and air therefrom.

A further purpose of my invention is to freely relieve meter tanks from air accumulation without interfering with any desired steam pressure therein.

Afurther purpose my .;invent'ion is to prevent the formation of a vacuum within meter. tanks.

A further purpose of my invention is to within meter tanks at anydesired adjustable pressure point and to provide for adjustment of this point.

.I- have preferred to illustrate my invention by one form thereof which I have found efiicient and relatively inexpensive and whichwell illustrates the principles of my invention.

I Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a preferred construction embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of a portion of the structure in Fig. 1 showing the gland preferred by me. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the form of float shown in Fig. 1. lig. 1 is a broken vertical section of a modification of one of the glands in Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of valves used by me.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the drawings.

The pressure-tight tank 1 is divided in the form shown into inter-communicating chambers 2, 3, 4, respectively, the weir chamber, the float chamber and the storage lVithin the weir chamber is placed a baflleplate 5 to prevent surging of'the water at the point 6 where it passes over the weir,,by reason of the inlet water at 7 from feed water heater, condenser or other suitable source which may or 'may not be under steam pressure.

asto translate movement of 32, and preferably The float chamber 3 contains float 8 shown as weighted at 9 and communicating ltS movement through rod 10 to rack 11. The rack carries an indicator 12 and operates a gear 13 bywhich drum 1 1 is rotated. The guide 15 on the drum is so formed as to move the arm 16 and, heiice, the recording finger 17 axially of the drum at a rate proportionate to the increase or decrease of the flow of water over ,the weir so that the .record upon the cylinder 18 may be intemethods. T his regrated by .planimeter the well known Lea cording mechanism is mechanism.

I have extended the storage chamber beneath the chamber 2 as at 19 so as to give any desired storage space for this water which has been measured at the expense merely of lifting the tank- 2 and without enlarging the floor space required.

In order to control the inlet water as far as may be possible, to make its flow proportionate to the rate of withdrawal through pipe 20 by the pump I provide a float 21 upon lever arm 22 connected to rod 23 which operates through'stuiling box 24 so rod rotation without losing the pressure conditions within the tank.

The rod 23 is provided at any desired point with a lever arm 25 which controls a valve in the intake 7 by means of rods 26 and 26 and arm 27. Any suitable turn buckle 28 provides for adjustment of the relative positions of these parts to set the valve for an height of storagewater desired. Pipe is shown, as leading from an open feed water heater 29.

In the form shown, the rod 10 passes freely through the space 30 in a box 31, re tained in any suitable manner as by screws internally threaded at 33 to provide for adjustment of the cup 34 therewith. The cup performs two functions; bringing pressure upon the packing, and holding the sealing and, preferably, lubricating liquid. The opening 35 in theeup, like that at 30 in the box, is also considerably larger than therod and the cup is preferably filled with a heavy oil as at 36. I have obtained the best results with cylinder oiland have found that cotton waste in the oil, as at 37, assists in preventing evaporation of the oil and acts as a wick to mainthe float into i '10 With any suitable number of sheets, here tain lubrication of the rod for a greater length of time than would be the ease with oil alone. In Fig. 4 I have shown oil without the waste. v

In the best form of my invention I place rubber packing 38 and 39 within box 31 and againstthe bottom of the box and undersurface of the cap 34, respectively, placing plates 40 and 41 next to these rubber sheets and filling the space between these two plates shown as disks, of felt or similar material 42, .soaked in a mixture of graphite and oil. v The pressure of the cap upon'the content within the box 31 may be adjusted in each different application of my invention .to correspond to the permissible friction against lateral movement of the sheets or disks, the character of oil seal used and other conditions determined by the exact design used and the judgment of'the engineer, The body .of oil-within the cap itself constitutes a fluid seal and maintains the desired saturation of tlie disks of felt or other fibrous material and their proper lubrication against the plates and against the rod. Ordinarily the friction would be less between the plates and the rubber disks than between the plates and the felt, with the result that, if the gland be not in proper alinement with the rod, there 7 will be movement of the entire group between and including the plates until this adjustment has been secured.

I have illustrated a wellknown type of antivapor gland in the bottom of the rev corder case, comprising a base plate 43 and movable cap 44, resting upon the bottom 45 of the case.

The depth of flotation of the float is ad justed by means of removable weights "so that the water level is at some point upon to give them relative movement longitudithe cylinder 14/ nally for adjustment of the zero point of I have connectedthe tank 3 with the tank 2 by means of a pipe 53 terminating in ascreened end 54 and containing a valve 55 which is controlled from the The, upper part of the chamber 3 is open freely to the surface pressure or vacuum conditions (if-chambers 2 and 4 since-the outside by 1 wheel 56 through rod 57 sealed by gland 58.

spaces at the top between these chambers are not closed.

To assist in initial setting of the zero pointof cylinder 14 I place a pin 59 on a level with the bottom of the weir at 60, making the point adjustable for the purpose of exact setting by forming it as a screw within' bracket, locked therein by nut 61. For convenience in adjusting the instrument to zero while the meter is under pressure or a vacuum, peep .holes 62 in line with the top of the pin. are provided. One hole only shows in the illustration.

So that various parts'ofthe tank may be freely accessible I provide hand hole 63 and man hole 64 I determine the height of. water in the chamber below the w'eirbygage glass 65.v

To maintain within the meter substantially the pressure conditions of the feed water heater, condenser or othersupply of the metered water I provide for pressures above the atmospheric or for a vacuum as desired within the meter chambers. 'Ob viouslythe conditions of intended use will determine whether pressure abovethe atmoscombination of pressure or vacuum conditions is to be provided for.

Where atmospheric pressure is to be maintained the chambers will be freely connected with the atmosphere. 'X Yliere pressure is desired above thatoftheatmosphere, as will occur where'open feed *water heaters afford the supply and the pressure transmitted phere, vacuum or atmospheric pressure or a therefrom is to be'maintained in a meter to gain the benefit of the increased temperature and head of the water, I provide for protec-' tion against excessive pressures by any suitable safety valve 66, which I have shown as controlled by weight 67 adjustable upon therod 68. I avoid conditions of vacuum by a simple check orflap valve 69 shown in Fig. 5, in which pressure less than atmospheric pressure will permit the opening of the valve due to the greater exterior (atmospheric) pressure. I also avoid the excessive accumulation of air within the meter chambers by thermostatic valve 70- open at lower temperatures. but closed by reason ofthe increased temperature when the temperature exceeds 212, the temperature at-wliich pres- I sures above the atmospheric pressure begin. I Where vacuum conditions are to be met by the meter I provide against excessive pressureswithin the chambers by the same character of check or flap valve as'shown at 69 except that I turn it the opposite way. The safet v valve and thermostatic valve are not required for this use.

It will be evident that I make it possible to transmit to the pump "substantially the same pressure. and temperature conditions as exist in the open feed water heater, condenser or other source of supply of water to be measured, obtaining the benefit of previous temperature and pressure conditions where desired.

It will be evident that I am enabled to control conditions of pressure within the various chambers of a gravity meter and to maintain the same conditions upon all of the surface within the meter, so that theregistration ofthe meter will not be affected by changes in temperature and pressure conditions.

I believe that I am the first to provide floatactuated inlet water control in a meter which is subjected to pressures above the atmosphere. In general, I attain safety without sacrifice of the advantages sometimes obtained by direct connection of themeter with any chamber in the source of supply, whose pressure might fluctuate greatly. \Vhere the source is an open water heater. for example. I secure all of the advantage of inclusion" of the meter within the heater or connection of the air space in the meter with the steam space 01 the heater without subjecting my meter to the dangers of excessive pressure which are present in feed water heaters, whether from live steam leaking into the heater or from other causes. -ly rloat valve control of the water inlet and safety valve protection for the meter chambers are addiger, to maintain in the tanksubstantially the same conditions of'pressijre and temperature as are present. ass-a mean in the source of supply. I smooth out the irregularities due to sudden or extreme temperature and pressure changes in the heater before the water enters the meter, without losing the thermal values of the heat units tLVHi ltLblO, which, with the pressures therefrom are transmitted to the pump. I relieve from interference by initial air, and, when the temperature exceeds the boiling point, provide a vapor cushionwhich tends to make the pressures and temperatures in the meter tank uniform, notwithstanding some possible variation in the pressures and temperatures at which/the water is received from the source of supply. .My increasedstorage for the Water below the weir further equalizes the temperatures for the pump and the uniform pressure uponthe surfaces of the water both above and below the weir, corresponding, as indicated, substantially with the mean pressure in the source of supply, insures accurate measuring'by the meter without interference by pressure and temperature conditions.

My weir meter: is protected against air pressure as well as vacuum, insuring a.minimum of air present after the boiling temperature has been reached and avoiding feedingof air to the pump, except such slight amount as may be entrained by the feed water in its entry after boiling temperature has been exceeded, thus duplicating to the pump in this. regard the conditions of feed water supplied to the meter.'

\Vhereas free vapor communication between the open heater and the meter tank results in co-existing variations in pressure and temperature within the heater and meter without any damping effect of the meter upon these surges. it willbe evident that my invention provides for reduction of the extent of temperature and pressure changes within the meter, and thus tends to equalize conditions not,only in the meter, but in the heater also.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character stated, an open feed water heater,'a closed meter tank, a measuring device therein including a weir, a single connection between the heater and meter providing for water flow between, a valve in the connection, float controlled means connected with said valve for increasing or decreasing the flow of water through the connection according to the height of water beyond the weirin the'direction of water flow and a safety valve protecting the tank.

2. In a device of the character stated, an open feed water heater, :1 closed meter tank having a we'i' measuring compartment and a storage compartment, a sin gle connection between the heater and measuring compartment of the meter, providing for flow of water between, a valve in the connection and float means connected with said valve for increasing or diminishing the flow of water from the heater to the meter according to the height of storage water in the meter.

3. In a device of the character stated, an open feed water heater, a closed meter tank having a weir and measuring and storage compatrments therein, a. single connection between the. heater and meter providing for flow of water therehetween, means for increasing or diminishing the flow of water heater and meter,.fee ding water between,

means for controlling the flow of -water open feed water heater, a closed meter tank having receiving and storage compartments havingfree vapor communication, a single connection between the heater and the re-1 =ceiving chamber of the meter providing for How of water therebetween, a float controlled valve increasing -or decreasing 1 the flow through this connection in proportion to the {height of' water in the storage compartment, and a safety valve and a thermostatic valve both controlling communication between the inside and outside of the meter tank.

, 6. In a device ofthe chara'cter stated, an openfeed water heater, a closed meter tank having receiving and storage compartments therein, a single connection between the Heater and meter tank providing for flow of water thereb'etween, a float controlled valve.

increasing or decreasing the flow ofwater from the heater to the meter in proportlon' to the height of storagew'ater in the meter and a vacuum break in the meter tank. 4 In a device of the character stated, an open feed water heater, a closed meter tanjls having receiving and storage compartments,-

Copies of this patent may be obtained for fl'vecents each, by addressing the a single connection between the heater and meter -providi'nggfor flow of water therebetween, a float controlled valve increasing or decreasing the flow of water through this connectiomin proportion to the height of Water I in the storage of the meter and a vacuum break and thermostatic valve both side and inside of the meter tank.

-8; 'In. a. device of the character stated, an

a receiving compartment in the tank, a storage compartment in said tank, a'single connection between the heater and the meter tank opening into the receiving compartment in the tank, a valve in saidconnection adapted when closed 'to dam upthe water in the-heater and'when opened to release this water and-permit free-flow of water there-' controlling passageof fluid betewen the out open-feed water heater, a closed meter tank, l

between, an outletfor saidtstorage compartment, a float in the storage compartment and connections between-the float and valve, giving-the' alve closing movement when the water levelrises in the storage compartment and opening movement when the water level falls therein. v g 4 a f DAVID ROBERT" YARNALL.

Witne sses:- 1k

WM. ST ELL JACKSON, SAMUEL'C. MILLNABD.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

